What is the Educational and Cultural Exchange Mission?
The American Federation Educational and Cultural Exchange Mission (AFECEM) was established in 2015 as an effort to connect influential leaders in the United States with the Palestinian people. Our semiannual weeklong missions seek to expose non-Arabs to the rich Palestinian history and culture and inspire you to tell the Palestinian story when you return home. Priority is given to applicants with a wide sphere of influence, including journalists, clergy, elected officials, and educators. All expenses associated with the trip are covered by the American Federation.
When do the missions take place?
Our weeklong missions typically take place during the Orthodox Easter (about a week after the Western observation of Easter) and in October during the olive harvest.
What kind of activities can I expect to participate in while in Palestine?
The ECEM packs a lot of information into one week! Past activities include meeting with Palestinian journalists, writers, students, and university professors; attending arts and culture institutions and events; visiting Palestinian refugee camps; interacting with various peace groups and NGO’s; and touring holy sites in Palestine.
What kind of participants is the mission seeking?
AFECEM is looking for non-Arabs who are interested in gaining a better understanding of Palestinian culture, who have open and positive attitudes, and who are excited about being ambassadors for the Palestinian people. Non-Arabs in leadership positions who have a wide sphere of influence are ideal.
Ok, I want to go to Palestine! How do I apply for AFECEM?
Applications for our missions are accepted on a rolling basis. Required forms include: application form, a 250-word essay, two letters of recommendation (one professional and one personal), and a CV. Please see the links on the right hand side of this page for application materials, and read the instructions on the application form carefully for details about each component. Submit a completed application packet to [email protected].